East Coast hunkers down for 'bombogenesis'

This ominous-sounding term is used to describe a storm that rapidly intensifies in a short period of time.

Those in the path of a powerful 'bombogenesis' storm system should prepare for high winds and whiteout snow conditions.
(Photo: Jan Day/Shutterstock)

The word "bombogenesis" is not only a potentially great name for your next band, but also a cool weather term you may have heard being thrown around by meteorologists. But what exactly is it and why is the Northeast United States on high alert for one?

A bombogenesis, aka "cyclone bomb," is used to describe an extreme drop in pressure of 24 millibars in 24 hours. These rapidly strengthening storms occur when a large temperature gradient is formed between a cold continental mass of air and warm sea-surface temperatures. These air masses mix to form what's called an "extratropical cyclone," with cold air at its core deriving energy from the mixing of hot and cold air masses around it.

As you might expect, these storms commonly happen along the East Coast. Nor'easters in particular are often formed through the process of bombogenesis.

Bombogenesis storms, which can form over both land and sea, generally occur between October and March. So great is the energy created from the colliding air masses that the resulting storms can sometimes rival the wind speeds of hurricanes. As you can see in the video below from a bombo that rocked the North Atlantic in April 2016, a familiar eye can form at the center.

What a bombogenesis generally means for those living in its path is blizzard conditions of extreme snow and wind. For this latest incarnation, dubbed Winter Storm Fortis, over a foot of snow and winds in excess of 50 mph are forecast for overnight and into this morning for parts of New Hampshire and Maine.

How to prepare for a bombogenesis? Stock up, stay warm, throw another log on the fire, and keep off the roads. This is one cold punch of powder best experienced from behind a window.